File Photo

DHAKA, April 8, 2026 (BSS) - Registration for Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) has officially begun at both the ends of the Padma Bridge aiming to make the country’s transportation system faster, easier and modern.

The initiative, implemented under the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), is a part of the government’s broader vision to build a smart and self-reliant country. 

According to the officials at the BBA, the advanced ETC technology has been introduced to automate and accelerate the toll collection system.

The program is being carried out under the supervision and guidance of Secretary of the Bridges Division and Executive Director of the BBA Mohammad Abdur Rouf. 

Awareness campaigns, including leaflet distribution, are going on among the vehicle owners and drivers.

The field-level ETC registration began on April 3 at a Golden Line Paribahan bus depot in Faridpur using portable radio frequency identification (RFID) scanners. 

Registration is also available daily at designated booths on the Mawa end of the bridge.
 
The program will gradually expand to Madaripur Bus Terminal and key locations in Dhaka including Rajarbagh, Sayedabad and Jatrabari. So far, a total of 546 vehicles have completed ETC registration.

Currently, toll payments can be made through digital platforms such as b-Kash, Nagad, Upay, TAP and other banking apps. With ETC, vehicles can pass through toll plazas without stopping, maintaining a designated speed.

The key benefits of the ETC are-non-stop travel across toll plazas reducing congestion, savings in time and fuel through automated processing, cashless transactions via digital payments and instant SMS notifications after each toll transaction.

Mohammad Abdur Rouf stated that the initiative prioritized public service in line with the Prime Minister’s directives. 

He added that ETC will enable faster vehicle movement across the Padma Bridge, further boosting economic activities.

Authorities have urged the vehicle owners and the drivers to complete the ETC registration promptly and take advantage of the modern service.

The Padma Bridge, which connects the southwestern region of the country with the capital, has already become a major driver of economic growth.

The introduction of the ETC is expected to further enhance its capacity and efficiency.